Local musicians entertain in Croke Park at Líofa launch

The Cúchulainn CLG, Mullaghbawn Scór na nÓg instrumental group had the honour of performing at the launch of the Líofa campaign by Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín in Croke Park on Wednesday.

Fionn Downey, Micheal Muckian, Niamh Downey and Tomas Muckian entertained the audience at the event in GAA headquarters, which was attended by organisations and individuals supporting the Líofa campaign, encouraging every citizen, regardless of their background or level of expertise, to embrace the Irish language.

Thanking the assistance of the GAA in facilitating the launch, Minister Ní Chuilín said the campaign is closely linked to the GAA’s objective to promote the Irish language within their clubs.

“Through the GAA, I want to increase the number of people speaking Irish, to improve fluency levels and to broaden the appeal of the language. The Irish language is for everyone and forms a vital part of the island’s shared cultural heritage,” she said.

Revealing that the initial target of 1,000 people to sign up to the campaign by 2015, the Minister says this has since been revised several times and now has a new target of 20,000 by 2020.

“Líofa looks forward to working with the GAA’s Irish Language Officers and members to encourage Irish as a spoken language in the club and on the pitch. I look forward to developing a programme of co-operation with the GAA which builds on existing successes,” she added.